HARRISBURG, PA – Governor Tom Corbett today publicly released an additional five years of tax returns, bringing his total of publicly disclosed tax returns to ten years. He is now calling on the Democratic candidates for governor to do the same. In making the request, the campaign made note of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party officials with a track record of supporting the release of tax returns over an extended period of time. Additionally, the Corbett campaign has called on the Wolf campaign to release his corporate tax returns for the past ten years.

“I have released my tax returns to the public going back to 2004, because I believe that the people of Pennsylvania deserve to know the long-term financial interests of those seeking to serve as their governor,” stated Governor Tom Corbett. “Candidate disclosure of tax returns is an issue that has been supported in the past by both Democrats and Republicans across Pennsylvania, so I hope that my opponents for governor will join me in the spirit of total transparency in providing a long-term snapshot of their financial interests.”

Campaign Manager Mike Barley added, “Additionally, our campaign joins our opponent’s call for Secretary Tom Wolf to publicly disclose his personal and corporate tax returns. Clearly, he has run his campaign on his experience leading the Wolf Organization and there are many questions regarding the multi-million dollar loan he took out to finance his campaign. Pennsylvanians deserve openness and full transparency from those running for public office and it’s time for Wolf to stop hiding.”

In February, Wolf expressed his willingness to release his personal and corporate tax returns, stating at the WHYY Newsworks and the Philadelphia Business Journal 2014 Gubernatorial Forum, “I’ll share whatever people like you want me to share, my personal tax returns, and the company information.” He also added, “I’ll be happy to share whatever anybody wants to see, that’s been my practice throughout my business career.”

Support for the long-term release of tax returns has been widely supported by Pennsylvania Democratic Party officials in recent years. Most recently, Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman Jim Burn; former Governor Ed Rendell; Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Philadelphia Comptroller Alan Butkovitz, and a handful of other Pennsylvania mayors have exhibited strong support of this practice.

Below is background information on the Democrats public support for the long-term release of tax returns.

Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman Jim Burn

“Here in Western Pennsylvania, we believe in honesty and integrity. Mitt Romney continues to betray the American people and his refusal to release his tax returns and give straight answers about his role at Bain Capital and his offshore bank accounts, makes people wonder what more is he hiding? Mitt Romney should take Rick Santorum's advice and come clean to the American people.” (July 14, 2012, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Website.)

“Mitt Romney needs to release additional tax returns. From the limited returns he has released, we already know that Mitt Romney has made millions by investing in tax havens in Luxembourg, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. We also know that Mitt Romney pays a lower tax rate than most Pennsylvanians. With these revelations appearing from only his 2010 tax returns and an estimate of his 2011 taxes, it's not surprising that Romney is refusing to follow presidential precedent and release additional returns. Romney's father released 12 years of tax returns when he ran for President. President Bush released his returns dating back to 1991 and President Obama released eight years of returns. We already know Romney pays a lower tax rate than most Pennsylvania families and he is profiting from offshore tax havens, but there is still much that Romney is going to great lengths to keep secret. Why did his staff remove his hard drives at the end of his term as Governor? What is the secret economic plan Romney is sharing with his donors? What else is Romney hiding?" (April 17, 2012, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Website.)

Former Governor Ed Rendell

“Of course, [Romney] should release his tax returns. We all do it. It's become common place in American politics and, as Ted was about to say, Governor Romney's father sort of set the tone by releasing twenty-five years of his tax returns. It's a basic elemental thing we do. People-- I agree with Governor McDonnell. It's not a central issue, but people want to know if American politicians pay their taxes fairly like everybody else. And Governor Romney could absolutely do away with this issue. We all do it in virtually every election in America. So just, Mitt, go ahead and do it.” (August 5, 2012, Face the Nation.)

“If the Romneys paid 14-20% anyway, and this year it says they paid 14% at the low end of the spectrum, then why wouldn’t you release the last 10-15 years and put this issue to bed? It’s very curious. It makes me more curious than before the accountant released that letter.” (September 21, 2012, Politics Nation.)

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

"The fact is that Mitt Romney is asking voters to judge him on his 'real economy' experience at Bain Capital, but won't even release his tax returns from the years he ran the company. He's hiding how much he enriched himself from bankrupting companies, outsourcing jobs and laying off workers. But voters across the country deserve to know the real deal - and if Mitt Romney won't give basic information now, how can they trust him to lead the country?" (April 10, 2012, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Website.)

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter et al.

“Transparency leads to trust. And public release of your tax returns is the only way the American people can know if they can trust your judgment, perspective and motivations. “But the American people have waited long enough and heard enough excuses about why you refuse to disclose your tax returns. It’s time to come clean Governor Romney.

“Your own father set a precedent for presidential candidates, of both parties, when he said public release of several years of tax returns was necessary, explaining that ‘one year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show.’ President Obama has released 12 years of tax returns, John Kerry released 20 years’ worth and Bob Dole released nearly 30 years. Without releasing additional tax returns, you would go down as one of the most secretive presidential nominees in modern history. Even Richard Nixon released more years of tax returns than you.

“Remember when you auditioned to be John McCain’s vice presidential pick? You gladly handed over twenty-three years of tax returns. Now, as you audition for the American people, you think only one full year is good enough. It isn’t.

“We know you have a bank account in Switzerland. We know you have continued holdings in offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. And we know you’ve already paid a significantly lower tax rate than most middle class families. The question is why? What else are you trying to hide? Were you trying to avoid paying your fair share? Is there shifty accounting in the rest of your tax returns that would shock Americans? You are running for the highest office in the greatest country on Earth. Don’t you think the American people deserve to know the truth?

“We do. Transparency is the only way the American people can trust that their President is on their side. It’s time to release your tax returns, Governor.

Respectfully,

Mayor Michael Nutter, Philadelphia, PA
Mayor Pete Lagiovane, Chambersburg, PA
Mayor Richard Gray, Lancaster, PA
Mayor Helen Thomas, Darby Borough, PA
Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Allentown, PA
Mayor John Callahan, Bethlehem, PA
Mayor Rick Vilello, Lockhaven, PA” (July 19, 2012, Philadelphia Daily News.)

Philadelphia City Controller Alan Butkovitz

“The fact is that Mitt Romney is asking voters to judge him on his 'real economy' experience at Bain Capital, but he won't even release his tax returns from the years he ran the company. He's hiding how much he enriched himself from bankrupting companies, outsourcing jobs and laying off workers. But voters here in Pennsylvania and across the country deserve to know the truth - and if Mitt Romney can't be honest and transparent with voters, how can voters trust him to lead the country?” (April 16, 2012, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Website.)

The tax returns of Governor Tom Corbett and First Lady Susan Corbett can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

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